Okay, so I am a biased parent - but isn't he cute? This dressing gown is Joshua's "Easter Present". Why? Well let's think about it.- At Christmas we celebrate the arrival or "advent" of Jesus in the world. We commemorate that he is God's gift to us by giving gifts to each other. Is that the real reason for giving gifts? I think you'll find there is a pagan background to the practice, that was "Christianised".
- At Easter there is a great celebration and rejoicing three days after Jesus' crucifixion, when on Easter Sunday we rejoice at his resurrection. Again, Easter is a "Christianised" pagan festival.
So why give a gift at Easter?
- First of all, the commercialisation of Christmas means there is a glut on gift giving and the true meaning of Christmas is lost. On this blog you will remember my post at Christmas time "In Search of St Nick" - a lament at the commercialisation of Christmas.
- At Easter, commercialisation means that our hard-earned dollars are spent on hot cross buns and "Easter eggs". Why spend the money on those when you can give one gift that lasts a little longer than the transient thrill of chocolate indulgence? Kids get too much chocolate anyway at Easter, so why not give less and give a gift?
So, we will give our kids one gift - from parents only - at Easter time, to remember not only the connection between Christmas and Easter, but to focus on how the Gift of eternal life was completed at Calvary and the open tomb.
Think about it - an Easter present.
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